Birzeit University celebrates 26th Annual Commencement

Birzeit University held its 26th annual commencement ceremonies on July 14, 15 and 16, 2001 – amongst anxious fears that the road between Birzeit and Ramallah would be closed by the Israeli check posts. The first two days were uneventful in that aspect but on the third day, check posts delayed the ceremony by about half and hour and about forty students completely missed their official graduation.  

Degrees were awarded to 1026 students of which 867 are Bachelor's degrees and 159 are post-graduate degrees. About 46% of the total graduates are female. The ceremonies, originally scheduled for mid-June, were postponed due to the numerous closures imposed on the University during the past few months.  

On the occasion of the commencement, President Yasser Arafat, Chairman of the Palestine National Authority, sent a cable to the University congratulating the graduates and commending the University community for its progressive role in its educational mission.  

In his speech, Dr. Hanna Nasir, President of Birzeit University, congratulated the students and their parents, especially those in the Gaza Strip, who were not allowed to share the joy of their children due to the siege imposed on Gaza by the Israeli occupation authorities. However, he said that special arrangements were made for teleconferencing with Gaza so that students and parents would be able to communicate and see each other on a TV screen during these festive times.  

Dr. Nasir said that he considers this ceremony as a day of challenge and steadfastness, “It is not easy to hold such a ceremony in these difficult times while there is a siege on most of our towns and villages,” Dr. Nasir said, “but as you know, Birzeit University does not surrender easily, and confronts all oppressions and hostilities.” He also affirmed the principles by which Birzeit is guided – namely principles of academic freedom, liberal and progressive thinking.  

Dr. Nasir said that Birzeit University lost this year one of its renowned professors, Dr. Ibrahim Abu-Lughod, who passed away last May. As a tribute to him, the University decided to rename the Institute of International Studies, to the Ibrahim Abu-Lughod Institute of International Studies, which he helped establish.  

Dr. Nasir also announced that the Media Institute would now become a Media School, offering majors and minors in print and broadcast journalism, and television and radio productions. He also announced the establishment of the Institute of Water Studies, and the Faculty of Information Technology. He also said that construction on the Graduate Studies Building has been completed and that the completion of the Physical Education Building is expected within a couple of months. Finally plans are being made for the construction of a library extension.  

Dr. Darwish Nazzal, Chairman of the University's Board of Trustees, congratulated the students, and described them as the pillars of the society, who will go on their ways to contribute to the betterment of the Palestinian state.  

On each day, a student represented the faculty he or she were graduating from, and in their speeches, they all thanked the University staff and faculty members for making this day possible.  

Over the past few years, the University has been using the commencement ceremonies to honor a person or an institute, and this year was no different. On Saturday, July 14, the late Faisal Husseini was posthumously honored in appreciation of his diligent role in defending Jerusalem against the Israeli occupation. Husseini, who passed away in Kuwait at the end of May, was a long-time friend of Birzeit University, and he and his wife were regular guests at the annual graduation ceremonies. Both his children attended and graduated from the University, and are currently enrolled in the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Faisal Husseini's son, Abdul Kader, received the special plaque on behalf of his late father.  

On Sunday, July 15, Birzeit University honored the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) for their conscientious role in saving Palestinian lives over the past 20 years. During the Intifiada, the PRCS ambulances, nurses and doctors have been working day and night to save the lives of Palestinian men, women and children, who have been shot at by the Israeli occupation forces while defending their rights to freedom. On behalf of Dr. Younis Al-Khatib, President of PRCS, Dr. Saleem Ma'touq, honorary vice president, received the special plaque of the University.  

Dr. Naseeb Shaheen, member of the University's Honorary Board of Trustees, supporter and friend of the University, was awarded the special plaque on Monday, July 16, during the third day of commencement. Dr. Shaheen, along with his late father and brothers, donated money to the University to help build the Azeez Shaheen Clinic. Dr. Shaheen himself donated the funds for building the new Faculty of Graduate Studies building to be inaugurated soon.